The Forrest City times., 1887-11-12
-----s-----7------------ CHAPTER XLlX.
THE DUCHESS IN THE PRISON CELL

THE DUCHESS IS THE PRISON CELL frhis is number forty four" the tron repeated, seeing slightly be- Lered expression come over the htiful face.
 D the permission given for the dech- Ito visit the prison, it was expressly Jed that she might go to the cell in. Ad of using the comipon audience 1n. She gave ono startled glance > the cell as the matron opened the E; she saw a small, square room. lted by one window, through which |caught a glimpse Of the far-of blue there was . small bedstead. and Ensual plain furniture of prison "a round table, 6 white ehair-and De entered the room A tall, graceful ke rose slowly from the chair, and Zwors was laid upon the table.
 em5er forty-four did not raise her
 she thought perhaps 1t was one he usual visits from the matron .ht work.
 here was one moment of impressive bee. No sunbeans fell athwart the cell, the bare walls were white ' keheerless; the duchess stood silent noticnlcss, with look of vague
 Der and surprise, the matron with
 lr of expectations; number forty
 stood with down-dropped eyes.
 bere was sudden and awful change &n the matron said;
 Humber forty-four, the Duchess of H Hh has received permission to wis t ley never forgot the startled cry or Book of agony that came over the pner's face when she heard that
 "a. She raised her hands with a pre of despair; her face had grown &hite ss the face of the dead. The
 eis went up to her slowly; she saw
 yreatyct subtle change in her, HSas the same, yet not the same.
 held out her white, jeweled hands, 4ndly greeting to her; but the pris- x waved them away with passion
 hrs. She cried out; 2 am not worthyl I may not touch m !" Then she recoiled from the 4tiful face, looking so wistfully into X She drew back until she stood 1hst the wall of the cell. and still Y kduchess followed her until she - just before her, looking still with 0Gful eyes In hers.
 am your friend" shs said, 'snot v enemy. am here in all loving
 hess. Speak to me-look at me,
 that you are pleased to see me. X do you fear mel"
 - you would do mo a kindness,"
 the prisoner, "lesve me-"
 70, l can not do that. 1 have come .osely to see you, l have come some @Snce. Why need 1 leave you? " the sight of me does not dis le you, you seemed to like me at y ring, Mrs. Grey"
 @ Ike herl Tho hapless woman 5 have laughed aloud. Like her!
 bhe not shut up in these dismal
 because she loved her 80 well " bhe not condemned herself lest, if |L pr inquiries were made, some faint - of her secret might be known, and " 4Dherished child's life be shadowed
 4r story? Rather anything-exile, 'tre, death, thsn this. The sweet, !10ing voice went on:
 10 not turn from me, Mrs. Grey, LII l am here to love and comfort I'D sec what can be done. l am z sGre that you are innocent. l
 always said so."
 p-no, am gullty!" said Mrs.
 lat is what I want to talk to you 1U said the duchess. "We all oW that you mad dothing to do with keheft-nothing to do with the dia- u1e, we are quite sure of 1t. Why IF call yourself guilty, when you 1Nit is not so? Let me talk to you. 44S our hands from your face and
 to me-"
 l@Ely enough the pale, sweet face 9nised to hers, there was some 9xpt desperation in it, something TO, too, and the Duchess Of Meath
 1 earnestly, almost eagerly at her. ID are the same. yet not the same," id slowly. What has made the
 1nce in you?"
 Tn, underneath the white cap, she Y yfIfgs of golden hair, fine and soft lE<5e which grow on the head Of a |I4s She remembered suddenly that 1 8rey's hair had always been dark, Iu Ghe understood what the change TT tbe dark hair, the dark brows, the EGoned skin, all so unsuited to the tlfIl violet eyes, were the disguise 1Qd assumed to hide herself. Nd uchess looked at her in wonder <[ las half fear.
 3x&n arc another-yet the same," Id again.
 i1h her white fingers, she gently 1f4od one of the rings Of golden hair " kad escaped from her cap. IN did you do this:" she said. 70 fair woman, why did you |k41 you hair and your face? 1 can tX0p; it was because you had some IT'D hide"
 f1 Grey shrunk from her, scared 1fron bling. She held up her hands
 4gesture of silence, but the duch- III on.
 &all know that there is some mys-
 1ont you, and l believe that l N khat 1t is."
 as frightened at the ghastly
 Aich overspread the pale face.
 startled at the anguish in the
 at cried;
 no. not that, anything but 4 S6re is no cause for alarm. even if
 16 penetrated your secret.n sald 34ohess, "as you will hear; on the
 @GlE, if it be as my father Lord
 < = h think, you will be taken
 1f1or life"
 l lxo. 6rey gave one eager, l0nging
 fhAt seemed to read tr gh the < ~ oYes into the soul: then she drew B I'D breath Of unutterable relief; ([{eSfr secret the duchess iancied she 1 1I1covered, it was not tue right rho duchess did not understand in } leazt that enc moment of passionate lotio1t. b9s went on calmly; '<Nox ihat you will look st me, and toc to me. ] have many things te tell u md 70 nsk you. First. 1 bes Of a bo 0ast ne, whatever maY bs the